Mississippi Birth Records

Are Birth Records Public in Mississippi?

No. According to Miss. Code Ann. (§41-57-2, §41-57-11(2) and §93-5-26, §93-17-25), an individual’s vital records, which include their birth records, are not considered public access records. Also, per Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-1 and Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-7, the State Registrar and Mississippi Department of Health does not allow inspection or disclosure of birth documents or issues a copy of such records unless the requester satisfactorily proves a direct and tangible interest in such records.

Persons with tangible interest include the registrant, members of their immediate family, legal guardians or legal representatives, authorized government agencies, genealogy researchers, etc.

Applicants without legitimate and tangible interest include natural parents of an adopted child without legal custody, alleged natural parents of any child whose names are not on the birth certificate or whose parental rights have been legally revoked, commercial agents, political agencies, and for-profit and not-for-profit entities. Applicants must provide valid identification documents and proof that they are qualified.

What are Birth Records in Mississippi?

Birth records in Mississippi are vital documents generated from all birth events that occur within the boundaries of the state. They contain information regarding the birth of individuals and the parents of persons named on the records. Mississippi birth records are not public records, and as such, access to them is restricted to eligible persons. Anyone who wants to enroll in school, obtain a driver's license, apply for a social security card, and obtain a passport in Mississippi must have a birth record. Birth records are a kind of legal document that establishes the holders' citizenship and equally their identities.

A few counties in the state kept birth records as early as 1879, but statewide registration did not start until 1921. Most counties generally complied by 1921. All births in Mississippi, irrespective of where or how they occurred, are registered with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). The information entered into a typical birth record of a person in Mississippi include:

• The person's full name
• Gender
• Place of birth
• Type of birth
• Parents' full names
• Mother's maiden name
• Date and place of registration and birth registration number

Where to Find Public Birth Records in Mississippi

Mississippi birth records may be obtained from the Mississippi State Department of Health. The vital records office allows applicants to order copies of Mississppi birth certificates online, which will be made available through a private records service for an additional fee; payable by credit card. Other options include mail, by phone and in-person. However, it is impossible to find public birth records in Mississippi because all Mississippi birth certificates, no matter how long ago, are only available to persons with vested interest.

How to Find and Request Birth Records Online in Mississippi

Mississippi makes no provision for anyone to look up birth records online. The Vital Records Office of the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) does not have a state-run online vital records repository. Persons interested in obtaining birth records online in Mississippi can do so through approved private online Vital records providers. Although these third-party companies offer convenient ordering and delivery, requesters must be willing to pay some additional fees. They allow payment by the major credit cards in the United States. The MSDH provides further information on using third-party vital records vendors' services to obtain birth records online in Mississippi.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

How to Get Birth Records in Mississippi

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records Office has birth records from November 1912 to date on file. Since Mississippi birth records are not open to the public, access to them is restricted to eligible persons. Such persons must provide valid photo IDs to prove identity. The Vital Records Office does not process applications received without photo identifications or permitted alternatives. They typically return such requests. Eligible persons can obtain Mississippi birth records in person and via mail. The acceptable form of identification include:

• Photo state-issued ID
• Photo driver's license
• United States passport
• Employment ID
• Tribal ID
• School, University, or College ID
• Temporary Resident Card
• United State military ID
• Alien Registration or permanent resident card

Persons named on birth records but who do not own valid photo identifications can order their birth records through their immediate relatives. Such relatives must include two forms of identification from the documents listed below with their requests:

• Utility bill showing address
• Social security card
• Employment identification
• Medical card
• Veteran universal access ID card
• Snap/EBT card with address

How to Request Mississippi Birth Records by Mail

Interested parties can order birth records in Mississippi by mail but must complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate. A requester should enclose proof of payment, a copy of a valid identification document, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with a completed application form. These documents should then be mailed to the Vital Records Office.

How to Request Mississippi Birth Records in Person

For in-person requests, applicants must submit completed Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate Forms and valid identification documents at the Vital Records Office. The benefit of an in-person application is the possibility of obtaining a birth record on the same day of request, provided a search is not required. Requesters must, however, complete payment if they want their request fulfilled the same day.

Where Can I Find Birth Records in Mississippi?

Mississippi birth records are maintained by the Vital Records Office of the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and made available upon request. The Office keeps records of birth events from 1912 to the present. For information about county birth records registered in Mississippi before 1912, individuals can contact the local County Health Departments. The MSDH provides a directory of county health offices on its website.

For in-person applications, eligible persons can obtain Mississippi birth records by visiting the Vital Records Office at:

222 Marketridge Drive
Off Highland Colony Parkway
Ridgeland, MS 39157

For mail-in requests, interested persons should address their applications to:

Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700

The Vital Records Office opens Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for in-person requests. Usually, the custodians conduct a five-year search of birth records on file. The Vital Records Office will issue a certificate of "Not-On-File" to an applicant if their record is not found. Requesters should file complaints of unfulfilled requests within six months of the initial applications with the Vital Records Office by email. Usually, mailed birth records returned because of incomplete address or address changes are re-mailed once the requesters notify the Vital Records Office within six months of application.

How to Get Birth Records From a Hospital in Mississippi

The hospitals in Mississippi only collect information on children delivered at their medical facilities and send them to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for registration. They do not keep birth records and are not authorized to issue any. Anyone who wants to obtain birth records in Mississippi must do so at the Vital Records Office or the local County Health Departments.

Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Mississippi?

No, because birth records in Mississippi are not public records. Access to birth certificates is restricted to qualified individuals for 100 years from the date of birth. Requesters must provide valid identification documents and proof that they are qualified. The birth certificates issued in Mississippi are long-form certified by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Persons who are eligible to obtain certified copies of a birth certificate in Mississippi are those with tangible and legitimate interests. They include:

• The person named on the record age 18 years and older (Registrant)
• Legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers)
• Parents whose names are listed on the birth record (provided they have not notified the Vital Records Office of termination of their parental rights)
• Registrant's spouse
• Registrant's grandparents
• Registrant's grandchildren
• Registrant's siblings
• Licensed adoption agencies
• A legal representative of the registrant or immediate family members (must show proof of representation)
• Any person who has obtained a court order (must provide a certified copy of court order)

Qualified requesters must ensure to provide the following information accurately when requesting copies of birth certificates in Mississippi:

• Registrant's last and first name
• Gender of the registrant
• Registrant's date of birth
• The purpose for requesting the certificate
• Name of the hospital or address where the registrant's birth occurred

It is also possible for a person who is not an immediate relative of a deceased registrant to get copies of their birth certificate. Such a person must provide a document that can help in establishing veritable interest, such as:

• Insurance policy listing both the requester and the decedent names
• Joint property deeds
• Relevant court documents

Mississippi birth records for birth events that have occurred for over 100 years are equally available for genealogy purposes. An individual applying for these records must specify the family relationship to the registrant and indicate "Genealogy" as the purpose for such a request. The penalties as described in section 41-57-27 of the Mississippi Code apply to anyone obtaining a copy of a birth certificate in Mississippi under false pretenses.

How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, birth record fees are non-refundable, except for charges paid for additional copies when the records are not on file. The Vital Records Office charges $17 for a copy of a birth certificate. Additional copies of the same document cost $6 each. Requesters are permitted to pay with credit cards, cash, money order, and checks. The Vital Records Office advises against sending cash in the mail for mail requests. Only money orders or personal checks are allowed for paying mail applications. Third-party Vital records providers add additional fees to the regular costs of ordering copies of birth records from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Checks and money orders are payable to Mississippi Vital Records. Mississippi law allows an additional service charge for dishonored checks.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate in Mississippi?

Standard orders of birth certificates in Mississippi via mail are processed in seven to ten business days. Applicants who complete their applications in person and pay the required fees at the Vital Records Office location will receive the requested birth certificates on the same day. Requesters ordering Mississippi birth certificates online from approved third-party Vital records vendors have the option of expedited delivery through UPS. Such orders are usually processed in three to five business days.

How to Get a New Birth Certificate in Mississippi

There exist a myriad of reasons why a person may need a new birth certificate in Mississippi. They may need it to replace a lost one, to apply for benefits for themselves, their spouse or their children, etc. whatever the case, it is possible to obtain a new birth certificate in Mississippi via the state’s vital check office. The request may be done in-person, by mail, on the phone or online.

For in-Person requests, the applicant should provide a valid means of government-issued identification, along with a filled-out request form and the required fee of $15 in a check or money order.

To get a new birth certificate by mail, the applicant should forward the above listed documents to the state’s vital records office. To get a new birth certificate online, the applicant must use the private company named by the vital records office. And to obtain a new birth certificate by phone, the searcher should call the vital records office directly at (601) 206-8200.

Can You Find Mississippi Birth Certificates Online?

Yes. Although it is more expensive when compared to other methods like mail and walk-ins, eligible persons can request for birth certificates online in Mississippi. Persons who order birth records online in Mississippi may experience the convenience of paying by credit cards, and receive delivery of their orders promptly via express shipping. However, online orders require an additional shipping fee in addition to the $17 charge for certified copies for birth certificates from the Mississppi State Department of Healgth.

How to Expunge Your Birth Records in Mississippi

Expungement of a person's record is a court process aimed at the total removal or destruction of such a document. Unlike sealed records, expunged records are entirely erased. In Mississippi, expungement of records is primarily associated with criminal records. Mississippi has not made any provision for birth record expungement.

How to Seal Your Birth Records in Mississippi

A person's birth record is sealed at the end of an adoption process, and adoption records in Mississippi are sealed records. Typically, in Mississippi, the following must give their written permission for adoption:

• Birth parents
• The would-be adoptee, if 14 years or older
• The would-be adoptee's guardian or any person having legal custodian of the child if the parents are unknown
• Two adult family members for a would-be adoptee whose parents are deceased
• A social worker who placed the child in foster care

For a child born out of wedlock, the law only requires the consent of the birth mother. Getting the natural father's permission on the consent form is also good. Once the judge finalizes the adoption, the Vital Records Office issues a new birth certificate with the child's new name (if changed) and the adoptive parents' names. Afterward, all documents regarding such adoption and the adoptee's original birth certificate are sealed. In Mississippi, sealing of adoption records is essential because they are considered to be confidential records. Sealing original birth records of adoptees helps protect them from societal stigmatization, most especially those who were born illegitimately. It also restricts birth parents from future interference with the child's adoptive family.

How to Unseal Your Birth Records in Mississippi

When a child is adopted in Mississippi, the adoption records and original birth certificate are sealed by a judge. The sealing of birth records is a legal process that facilitates barring of adoptees from contacting their birth parents, at least until the child becomes an adult. In any sealed adoption file, there is identifying and non-identifying information. The following persons may access the non-identifying information of an adoption record:

• The adoptee who is age 18 or older
• Adoptive parents
• Adoptee's birth siblings or child, if the applicant is at least 18 years of age
• Adoptee's legal custodian

Non-identifying information such as adoptee's and birth parents' medical and social history are available to these persons. They can also access a report describing the adoptee's prenatal care and medical condition at the time of birth if known. In Mississippi, adoption records identifying information include names, dates of birth, original birth certificates, and social security numbers of such adoptees. Others are the social security numbers and current addresses of the adoptee's biological parents or guardians.

Access to identifying information in Mississippi adoption records by adoptees requires counseling. Unless birth parents have completed affidavits denying the release of identifying information, adoptees age 21 years or older can access such information. Adoptees may apply to the Vital Records Office to search for birth parents who did not file affidavits in a bid to access identifying information in their adoption records. To access the original birth certificate in a Mississippi adoption record, may petition the Chancery Court to order the Vital Records Office to release the birth document. However, such an adoptee must have a genuine reason for desiring to unseal their birth record.

Who Signs Birth and Death Certificates in Mississippi?

According to Mississippi annotated codes (Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-1; Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-7), the person responsible for filing birth certificates depends on the birth circumstance.

Birth in hospital or enroute to hospital: Per (Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-1 and Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-7), when birth occurs and the cord is cut in a hospital or while going to a hospital, the hospital will be recorded as the birth location and the person in charge of the hospital or his designated representative will obtain the required data and prepare the birth certificate. The doctor or midwife in attendance will certify and sign the birth certificate, but if they cannot do so within 72 hours, any other medical staff or the person in charge of the hospital may sign it. The completed birth certificate should be filed with the Office of Vital Records Registration of the Department of Health within five days after the date of birth.

Birth at a place other than a hospital: According to (Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-1and Miss. Code Ann. §41-57-7), when a baby is born and its cord is cut outside a hospital, the place of birth is recorded as the address at which the cord was cut and the certificate should be prepared and filed by one of the following, in the indicated order of priority:

• The physician in attendance at or immediately after the birth
• Any verifiable midwife or other person in attendance at or immediately after the birth
• The father or the mother
• The person in charge of the premises where the birth occurred, or in the absence of such a person
• A field representative of the State Registrar. SOURCE:

Furthermore, in Mississippi, the doctor in charge of a deceased’s care may file and sign their death certificate if death does not affect the public interest.

Suppose an attending physician declines to sign a certificate of death, or if the death affects the public’s interest, then the medical examiner or any other qualified designee will sign the death certificate. Also, in cases where there is doubt about who should sign, the medical examiner may also certify the death.

Another person that may sign a death certificate is a funeral director or a person acting as a funeral director;, specifically in cases that do not pose a public interest.

What is a Mississippi Birth Index?

A Mississippi birth index is an organized filing of birth records in the state. In Mississippi, the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Records is the entity that maintains not just birth records but every other vital record in the state from 1912 to the present. Birth records prior to 1912 are indexed at the county level. Mississippi’s Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide may also prove useful when searching for Vital Records indexed in the state.